Usafi Market vendors, taxi operators want illegal taxi stages removed

Jan 19, 2022

The traders say KCCA has been reluctant to act on illegal taxi stages which is affecting them

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Geoffrey Mutegeki
Journalist @New Vision

Vendors and taxi operators working in Usafi Market and Usafi Taxi Park have called on Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) to remove illegal taxi stages that are affecting their operations

Usafi Market and the park were constructed to accommodate at least 5,000 vendors and 800 taxis respectively and the successful operation of the two is interdependent.

The secretary LC1 Luzige Zone, Noor Nakubulwa says the market operations are dependent on the taxi park and vis-versa. 

Due to illegal taxi stages set outside the park, the market has been affected with few buyers coming in.

KCCA executive director Dorothy Kisaka during the tour of Usafi market and taxi park. Photo by Miriam Namutebi

KCCA executive director Dorothy Kisaka during the tour of Usafi market and taxi park. Photo by Miriam Namutebi

“If this market is to serve its purpose all the illegal taxi stages must be removed and all taxis load from the park especially the Entebbe stage,” Nakubulwa says.

Charles Ntale, the Usafi Taxi Park chairperson says KCCA has been reluctant to act on illegal taxi stages which is affecting them.

“When we were brought to Usafi park they told us we would not be allowed to load outside the park. But now the stages were shifted from the park to the roadside and KCCA is quiet,” Ntale says.

He says when the park does not operate the market will never attract customers and vendors will keep running away.

“We thought when the Old Taxi Park reopens those who have been operating on the roadside will be stopped but the vice is ongoing,” Ntale says.

He named some of the illegal stages as Salama stage, Kibuye stage, Makindye and the various Entebbe road stages.

“All Entebbe taxis should operate in Usafi. This will help end congestion in the city and give life to Usafi market,” Ntale says.

Ali Lukyamuzi a taxi operator blamed leaders who have been exposed for failing to implement the best practices they see in the various countries they visit.

“We need a smart city which is organised but why can’t implement it. You always visit beautiful cities in China, New York, London and see the good things that can be done here. Unfortunately, you just leave everything on the plane stairs at Entebbe,” Lukyamuzi says.

The KCCA executive director, Dorothy Kisaka promised the vendors and the taxi operators that they will find a solution to the problem very soon.

“Public transport is key in the city and we want it organized. We have started with making sure walkways are clear that is why we are removing vendors,” Kisaka says.

On the issue of illegal stages, Kisaka says they are investigating it in order to make an informed decision.

“We don’t need to make a rash decision about it. The taxi business has a lot of issues which we need to understand more, but it will take a long time,” Kisaka says.

On sorting the bodaboda issue, Kisaka says they will work with them to ensure a win-win solution.

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